Water Main Leak Likely Caused by “Air Hammer”

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February 26, 2024

By Landry Bewer

City crews spent several hours recently repairing a water main leak underneath Country Club Boulevard in front of the old Northeast Elementary School building.

Traffic was blocked on Country Club between Colorado Avenue and Van Buren Avenue as City personnel worked from about 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Thursday, February 22, repairing a water main that, at times, looked like a geyser shooting water several feet into the air.

According to Water Superintendent Billy Thornton, the water main likely broke as a result of fighting the fire that started in a ditch beside north Van Buren and spread to the Elk City Municipal Airport earlier in the week.

“We believe that a fire hydrant closed, causing an air hammer effect, which forced the break in the water main,” Thornton said.

City crews noticed the water leak in front of the old Northeast Elementary school building the day after the fire.

“It was just a little spot coming up from the middle of the road,” Thornton said.

The City Water Department cut through pavement and seven feet of dirt to reach the leak, then removed three water taps from service lines, and installed new ones.

During the line repair, nearby fire hydrants were opened, allowing water to flow from them and reduce pressure on the damaged water line. This is why area residents experienced diminished water pressure during the repair.

Thornton expressed his gratitude for the work of all the City Water Department employees. “It took the whole crew to get the job done,” Thornton said.

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Students Attend Education Expo

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